How to Run a Board Game Tournament

So, you’ve got a group of friends, a shelf full of board games, and the taste for some friendly competition. Tournaments are a fantastic way to bring people together, spark some friendly rivalry, and crown a champion (or at least brag about your wins until the next game night).

In this article, we’re diving into the world of board game tournaments—breaking down the most popular formats, exploring how they work, and helping you figure out which one suits your group best. Grab your favorite game, rally your friends, and let’s get ready to play (and maybe win)!

• Single elimination tournament

• Double elimination tournament

• Round robin tournament

• Multi-level tournament

• Great Canadian Board Game Blitz

• Leagues

Single Elimination Tournament

Who is it best for?

Single elimination tournaments are ideal for small to medium-large groups (4-16 teams or players) and are perfect for games that are quick to play. This format is great for competitive players who enjoy high-stakes matches, as one loss means you’re out of the tournament.

How does it work?

In a single elimination tournament, the concept is simple: lose once, and you’re out. The tournament progresses in rounds, with half of the players being eliminated in each round until only one winner remains. Players are matched against each other in the first round. These pairings can be random, or they can be seeded (e.g., based on skill level or previous performance).

After each match, the winner moves on to the next round, while the loser is eliminated from the tournament. This process continues round by round, with the number of players halving each time (e.g., 16 players → 8 players → 4 players → 2 players). The last two players face off in the championship match, and the winner is crowned the tournament champion.

This format is fast-paced and exciting, as every match feels high-stakes. However, it also means that players who lose early may have limited playtime, so it’s best suited for groups who enjoy a competitive atmosphere.

Tournament Set Up

1. Create the Bracket:

1. Use a bracket template (you can find these on our website or create one manually).

1. Decide if the bracket will be random or seeded. Random means you will pair players randomly for a casual, unpredictable tournament. Seeded means ranking players by skill level and pairing the strongest against lower-level players in the early rounds. Seeding is used to ensure the strongest teams aren’t eliminated early. 

2. Set Match Rules:

1. Decide how winners are determined if you’re deviating from the game rules. 

2. Establish time limits for matches to keep the tournament on schedule.

3. If you can, assign a referee or organizer to resolve disputes and enforce rules.

3. Run the Tournament:

1. Announce pairings for each round and ensure players know where and when to play.

2. Track results on the bracket as matches are completed.

3. Progress through the rounds until the final match determines the winner.

4. Handle Ties or Disputes:

1. Have a clear tiebreaker system in place (e.g., sudden death, points difference, or a quick mini-game).

2. Ensure all players understand the rules beforehand to avoid disagreements.

Double Elimination Tournament

Who is it best for?

Double elimination tournaments work well for large sized groups (8-32 players) and are suited for players who want a second chance after a loss. This format is great for games where luck or a single mistake can heavily influence the outcome.

How does it work?

A double elimination tournament gives players a second chance after a loss. Unlike single elimination, where one loss knocks you out, players must lose twice to be eliminated. The tournament is divided into two brackets:

• Winners’ Bracket: Players who haven’t lost any matches compete here.

• Losers’ Bracket: Players who lose once move here and continue competing.

• Initial Matches: All players start in the winners’ bracket.

If a player loses in the winners’ bracket, they drop to the losers’ bracket. If a player loses in the losers’ bracket, they’re out of the tournament. The last player in the winners’ bracket faces the last player in the losers’ bracket. If the losers’ bracket player wins, they’ve both lost once, so a final deciding match is played to determine the champion.

Tournament Set Up

1. Create Two Brackets:

1. Winners’ Bracket: This is the main bracket where players start.

2. Losers’ Bracket: This is where players go after their first loss.

3. Use a double elimination bracket template (available online) to keep track of both brackets.

2. Set Match Rules:

1. Decide how winners are determined (e.g., best of 1, best of 3, or points-based systems).

2. Establish time limits for matches to keep the tournament on schedule.

3. Assign a referee or organizer to resolve disputes and enforce rules.

3. Run the Tournament:

1. Start all players in the winners’ bracket.

2. After each match, move losing players to the losers’ bracket.

3. Continue running matches in both brackets simultaneously.

4. The final match is between the last player in the winners’ bracket and the last player in the losers’ bracket. If the losers’ bracket player wins, a final deciding match is played.

4. Handle Ties or Disputes:

1. Have a clear tiebreaker system in place (e.g., sudden death, points difference, or a quick mini-game).

2. Ensure all players understand the rules beforehand to avoid disagreements.

Round Robin Tournament

Who is it best for?

Round robin tournaments are best for small to medium groups (4-12 players) and are ideal for games that are relatively short to play. This format is perfect for casual players who want to play multiple games and compete against everyone.

How does it work?

In a round robin tournament, every player competes against every other player. This format ensures maximum playtime and is great for casual, social groups. Players are paired against each other in a series of matches. They earn points based on wins, losses, or ties (e.g., 1 point for a win, 0 for a loss). A leaderboard tracks each player’s points throughout the tournament. The player with the most points at the end of all matches is declared the winner.

Tournament Set Up

1. Create a Schedule:

1. Use a round robin schedule generator (available online) or create one manually.

2. Ensure each player faces every other player at least once.

2. Set Match Rules:

1. Decide how winners are determined (e.g., best of 1, best of 3, or points-based systems).

2. Establish time limits for matches to keep the tournament on schedule.

3. Assign a referee or organizer to resolve disputes and enforce rules.

3. Run the Tournament:

1. Announce pairings for each round and ensure players know where and when to play.

2. Track results on the leaderboard as matches are completed.

3. Continue until all matches are played and the final scores are tallied.

4. Handle Ties or Disputes:

1. Have a clear tiebreaker system in place (e.g., head-to-head results, points difference, or a quick mini-game).

2. Ensure all players understand the rules beforehand to avoid disagreements.

Multilevel Tournament

Who is it best for?

Multilevel tournaments are ideal for large groups (20+ players) and are perfect for games that have a strong skill-based component. This format is great for creating a competitive yet inclusive environment, as it allows players of all skill levels to compete against others at their level. It’s also well-suited for games that can be played in shorter sessions, as players move between levels based on their performance.

How does it work?

A multilevel tournament divides players into different tiers or levels based on their skill or performance. Players compete within their level, and based on their results, they can move up or down levels throughout the tournament. Players are divided into levels (e.g., Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) based on skill or a preliminary ranking round. They then compete against others in their level.

After each round, top-performing players move up a level, while lower-performing players move down. The tournament can end with a champion at each level, or players can compete in a final round to determine an overall winner.

Tournament Set Up

1. Initial Placement:

1. Use a preliminary ranking round to place players into levels.

2. Alternatively, players can self-select their level based on their perceived skill.

2. Create Level-Based Groups:

1. Divide players into their respective levels.

2. Ensure each level has a similar number of players to keep matches balanced.

3. Set Match Rules:

1. Decide how winners are determined (e.g., best of 1, best of 3, or points-based systems).

2. Establish time limits for matches to keep the tournament on schedule.

3. Assign a referee or organizer to resolve disputes and enforce rules.

4. Run the Tournament:

1. Announce pairings for each round within each level.

2. Track results and update player levels after each round.

3. Continue until the final round determines the winners at each level or an overall champion.

5. Handle Ties or Disputes:

1. Have a clear tiebreaker system in place (e.g., head-to-head results, points difference, or a quick mini-game).

2. Ensure all players understand the rules beforehand to avoid disagreements.

Great Canadian Board Game Blitz

Who is it best for?

The Great Canadian Board Game Blitz is perfect for medium to large groups (20+ players) who enjoy fast-paced, high-energy gameplay. It’s ideal for players who want to play a mix of different games throughout the event. This format is also great for social gamers who enjoy meeting new people, as players rotate tables and opponents frequently.

How does it work?

The Great Canadian Board Game Blitz is a timed, multi-round tournament where players compete in a series of short board game sessions. A curated list of short, easy-to-learn games is chosen for the event. These games typically have a playtime of 20-30 minutes. Each round is strictly timed (e.g., 30 minutes), and players must complete their game within the time limit.

Players earn points based on their performance in each game (e.g., 1st place = 3 points, 2nd place = 2 points, 3rd place = 1 point). After each round, players move to a new table and play a different game with new opponents. At the end of all rounds, points are tallied, and the player with the highest total score is declared the winner.

Tournament Set Up

1. Select Games:

1. Choose 5-10 games that are short, easy to learn, and engaging. This format works best when you choose a variety of different games. 

2. Ensure you have enough copies of each game for multiple tables to play simultaneously.

2. Prepare Materials:

1. Print out rule summaries or quick-reference sheets for each game to help players learn quickly.

2. Prepare scorecards or a digital scoring system to track points across rounds.

3. Set Up Tables:

1. Arrange tables with one game per table. Each table should seat 3-6 players, depending on the game.

2. Assign a starting table to each player (e.g., via a random draw or pre-assigned seating).

4. Establish Rules:

1. Set a strict time limit for each round (e.g., 30 minutes). Use a timer or bell to signal the start and end of each round.

2. Decide how points are awarded (e.g., 3 points for 1st place, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd).

3. Clarify tiebreaker rules (e.g., most 1st-place finishes, head-to-head results).

5. Run the Tournament:

1. Start each round by explaining the game (or providing a quick rules summary).

2. After the time limit, collect scores and have players rotate to a new table.

3. Repeat until all rounds are completed.

6. Final Scoring:

1. Tally points from all rounds to determine the overall winner.

2. Announce the winner and celebrate the event with participants!

Leagues

Leagues are a structured, ongoing competition where players compete over a longer period of time, often weeks or months, rather than in a single-day event like a tournament. In a league, players typically play a set number of games or matches, and their performance is tracked over the course of the season. At the end of the season, the player (or team) with the best overall record is declared the winner.

Leagues are common in sports, but they’ve also become popular in board gaming, especially for games that benefit from deeper strategy, repeated play, and a sense of progression. Examples include Carrom and strategic games like Settlers of Catan.

When to choose a league v. tournament

Find Your Next Favorite Game at The Carrom Company!

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